    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [December 10, 2004]
    [Pages 3065-3066]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Nomination of Samuel W. Bodman To Be Secretary of Energy
    December 10, 2004

        The President. Thank you. Good morning. Today I am announcing my
    nomination of Sam Bodman as Secretary of Energy. I am pleased to welcome
    Sam's wife, Diane, and all his family
    members--I emphasize ``all''--for coming today. Welcome to the White
    House.
        Sam Bodman is an experienced executive who has served in my
    administration as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Secretary of
    the Treasury. During his varied and distinguished career in the private
    sector, Sam has been a professor at MIT, president of an investment
    firm, the chairman and CEO of an industrial company with operations
    worldwide. In academics, in business, and in government, Sam Bodman has
    shown himself to be a problemsolver who knows how to set goals, and he
    knows how to reach them. He will bring to the Department of Energy a
    great talent for management and the precise thinking of an engineer. I
    thank him for agreeing to serve once again.
        The Department of Energy has responsibilities that directly affect
    all Americans, from the security of nuclear facilities to reducing the
    risk of nuclear proliferation

    [[Page 3066]]

    around the world to environmental cleanup to enhancing conservation and
    developing new sources of energy for the future. Every day, employees at
    the Department of Energy are working to protect the American people and
    to ensure that our country's homes and businesses have reliable, safe,
    and affordable supplies of energy.
        During the last 4 years, the Department of Energy has been active
    and effective and has delivered important results for the American
    people. We've taken vital steps to upgrade the Nation's energy
    infrastructure. We have begun an ambitious research program to develop a
    viable hydrogen-powered automobile. We have strengthened cooperation
    between the United States and foreign governments to safeguard nuclear
    materials and to fight proliferation.
        For these achievements and more, the Nation is grateful to Secretary
    Spencer Abraham. As a United States Senator
    and a Cabinet Secretary, Spence has shown himself to be a man of
    integrity and wisdom. He's a good man, a superior public servant, and a
    friend. And I thank Spence for leading his Department so ably, and I
    wish him and Jane all the best.
        During the next 4 years, we will continue to enhance our economic
    security and our national security through sound energy policy. We will
    pursue more energy close to home, in our own country and in our own
    hemisphere, so that we're less dependent on energy from unstable parts
    of the world. We will continue improving pipelines and gas terminals and
    powerlines, so that energy flow is reliable. We will develop and deploy
    the latest technology to provide a new generation of cleaner and more
    efficient energy sources. We will promote strong conservation measures.
        In all these steps, we will bring greater certainty of costs and
    supply, and that certainty is essential to economic growth and job
    creation. And we will continue to work closely with Congress to produce
    comprehensive legislation that moves America toward greater energy
    independence. I'm optimistic about the task ahead, and I know Sam Bodman
    is the right man to lead this important and vital agency. So I urge the
    Senate to confirm his nomination without delay.
        Congratulations, Sam.

    [At this point, Secretary-designate Bodman made brief remarks.]

    Note: The President spoke at 9:44 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary also included the remarks of Secretary-designate Bodman.